Manny Pacquiao punishes Ricky Hatton
By Stephen Johnson Photo: Chris Farina - Top Rank (Click picture for larger view)

(IB -May 3, 2009) -  This past Saturday night, there were many questions that needed to be answered.
Manny Pacquiao had to satisfy the many non-believers by defeating Ricky Hatton.

Not only did Pacquiao dismantle Hatton, he put to rest the notion that he had become “soft” by knocking out the British contender in the 2nd round.
Fairly obvious from the beginning, Pacquiao wasted little time in showing the aggressive Hatton that there would be little clinching (as Hatton’s camp had suggested Pacquiao would do) but flurries of “punches in bunches”.

After round 1, the only question was “WHEN” and no longer “IF” The PacMan would end the fight.

The announcement by GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS that in July of this year “Pretty Boy Floyd” Mayweather will come out of a year-long retirement to battle Juan Manuel Marquez, definitely sets up the possibility of either Pacquiao vs Marquez III or Pacquiao vs Mayweather.

Mayweather going after Marquez right off the bat, seems a bit ambitious considering that both Marquez vs Pacquiao battles were left for the viewer to determine the winner. Pacquiao was the victor by slim margins in both.

However the scenario plays out, the one man being left to wait is Paul Williams. “Sugar” Shane Mosley is making noise that he should be the next in line for a shot at Pacquiao, but don’t bet on it.

The most attractive bout for “Sugar” Shane would seem to be either Paul Williams or Miguel Cotto. Moseley would probably prefer Cotto to the taller and more elusive Williams whose style would cause MAJOR problems for him.

Should Shane Mosley defeat Miguel Cotto and then take on Paul Williams, he would definitely deserve a shot at Pacquiao, Mayweather or even Juan Manuel Marquez.

The issue involving Mosley is weight. He would prefer the welterweight limit of 147 lbs. GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS negotiations would probably demand a few pounds of leeway for Moseley’s own comfort.

Pacquiao vs Cotto…Pacquiao vs Williams…Pacquiao vs Mayweather…Pacquiao vs Marquez III…Pacquiao vs Mosley.
All these bouts are very intriguing, but the one constant in all of this…MANNY PACQUIAO IS THE MAN!